This book contains foul language and fouler descriptions of life as a zombie. It will offend most anyone, so proceed with caution or not at all. And be forewarned: This is not a zombie book. This is a different sort of tale. It is a story about the unfortunate, about those who did not get away. It is a human story at its rotten heart. It is the reason we can't stop obsessing about these creatures, in whom we see all too much of ourselves.

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Publisher's Summary

Warning: Not fit for human consumption

This book contains foul language and fouler descriptions of life as a zombie. It will offend most anyone, so proceed with caution or not at all. And be forewarned: This is not a zombie book. This is a different sort of tale. It is a story about the unfortunate, about those who did not get away. It is a human story at its rotten heart. It is the reason we can't stop obsessing about these creatures, in whom we see all too much of ourselves.

if you're into the whole zombie genre and are looking for something different, then definitely give i, zombie a listen. the book is broken into 6 parts. the first 5 parts tell the story of people who have become zombies. each part follows 2 or 3 main characters. as they shamble around, looking for fresh meat, they recount parts of their lives. as a zombie, they are fully aware of what they're doing, but they can't stop their bodies. they have no control over their need to feed.

there is a wide assortment of characters with diverse backgrounds. believe it or not, there's a lot of character development in each part. each character is different and has their own unique story to tell. actually, there's a lot of emotion in this zombie book. what do i mean? i felt different emotions from the different stories. to name a few, i felt sadness, disgust, contempt, and believe it or not triumphant.

the narration is excellent. each character has his/her own narrator, who brings the character to life even though they're dead. LOL

the writing is tight. there's nothing i would add nor remove from the story. there is a lot of gore, and the scenes of the zombies feeding are probably the most descriptive, disgusting, an horrifying i've ever read or listened to.

overall, a great and unique addition to my zombie library. so if you're looking for something different, then look no further. this is a great book from the zombie perspective. this is why you don't want to become a zombie!

I was absolutely enraptured at how Hugh Howey managed to take the most primal fears we all have as humans and warp them into reality. Without giving too much away, this series of short stories from many points of view, which belong to a much larger story that actually ends, steps us through the lives of real humans and how they are trapped inside their Zombie bodies and unable to stop their insatiable need for hunger and forward movement. Not only are they trapped, but in the real life everyday world scenarios of how people would be.

Stuck in the lunch room at the office, on the freeway in a traffic jam, taking care of elderly parents and children. The list goes on and on as to how everyday situations turned into nightmares for these people.

What was one of the most memorable moments of I, Zombie?

One of the most memorable scenes to me was the mother and daughter caught up in a tree. There were two points of view on this particular scene. One from a character we have followed on the ground, and the other from the Mother and Daughter. The decision this mother had to make after days of being held captive in the tree was simply terrifying.

SO many of these situations were excruciatingly difficult to tell, and to hear, but Hugh Howey truly makes you ask yourself... what would you do if it were you in that exact same situation?

Which scene was your favorite?

There is a scene with a little girl in her shop where she and her parents lived. After they all turned, and the parents died, the little girl simply wishes to go outside but cannot until a human family breaks into their shop scrounging for food. I won't spoil the scene... let's just say the little girl is no longer alone and lonely.

There is also an amazing story of a man who saves a baby. It is AWESOME!

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I truly identified with the character who kept talking about how she prepped for the end of the world and had even purchased a good pair of hiking boots so her feet would be protected. But that particular day when the apocalypse hit, she was in high heels. She also spends time trying to figure out what to call their group of zombies as they travel... are they a horde? a murder? She finally decided on a shuffle. You'll have to listen to how this poor gal has to go through life in painful shoes!

Any additional comments?

This book is not for the weak of mind nor stomach! Hugh Howey totally pushes through the threshold and comes out squeaky clean. Masterfully created in tacking this type of point of view. Definitely not just another Zombie story. In anything... if is a true human endearment story.

All I can say is wow, what a gruesome and grotesque story. I loved it, so unique and captivating. When it ended I just sat there for a minute and contemplated what had just happened. I am not the world’s biggest zombie aficionado, but this perspective and the performances - whew - amazing. Props goes to all the men and women who read the story, it must have been quite the undertaking. This book is not recommended for the queasy. VERY graphic VERY sadistic VERY explicit.

Not sure what to say about this book. But he warns you in the description. Not your typical Zombie story for sure. Probably should of given 4 to 5 stars on story, but there was so much disturbing content that I couldn't bring myself to.

What would make this book a 4 or 5 star listen would be if there was a actual story. These are short incomplete stories about a zombie's perspective. I listened to half the book then became so bored and frustrated I quit. None of the stories are interesting.

Note: I only listened to half the book. Perhaps the end is good or the stories all tie in.....I have no idea.

So cool to get a zombie book with an extreme twist from the norm. I really like zombie titles that bring new facets to the genre. This being from the zombies perspective fits the bill wonderfully. I was initially disappointed because it seemed each story was going to be 10 minutes long (or so) . But they take turns telling a story from this person then the next then back to the first so there is still character development. Not sure why they broke up each story but it doesn't take away from the book. And didn't make their story's hard to follow. If you like innovative ideas i feel this will satisfy you and most zombie enthusiasts. Thank you for reading my review hope it helps.

This book made me feel kind of sick, which I think was the intention. It goes a long way to describing the different mental results of the characters as they're taken along for the ride as a zombie prisoner.I was especially creeped out by the older woman who enjoyed being a zombie because she was no longer frail.

Take heed, listeners. The author means it when he warns that this is not a typical zombie book and that it is, indeed, foul.

It is foul, disturbing, and very much an exercise in stream of consciousness from multiple perspectives of the individuals imprisoned in their own rotting, carnivorous bodies. It is the greatest nightmare for thinking independent people…to be conscious and aware, but have no control of the horrors surrounding them or the horrors that have taken control of their animated prisons.

I, Zombie is not for the typical zombie reader. If you want a plot or answers, there are dozens of alternatives available. If you really want to explore the questions, the potential consciousness, and the multiple human perspectives of horror, I, Zombie will disturb you to the core.

…but for the typical zombie reader, I, Zombie does reaffirm the instinct to smash a zombie’s head to nothingness…whether the zombie is mindless or mindful. It’s not only an effort to save the living, but also to put the reanimated undead out of their misery.

...and a special note to audiobook listeners...be careful if you're listening in your car or somewhere others might overhear. You will get some seriously dirty looks.

The warning contained in the publishers summary had me hooked, I mean what could happen in a zombie audiobook that is so offensive that it requires a warning to the end user? This coupled with the fact that I have been meaning to listen too Hugh Howey’s Wool Omnibus Edition (Wool 1 – 5) for some time now. I am looking forward to being offended by I, Zombie I think it will be difficult to do because I think there is a a place for gruesome zombie audiobooks, it really all stands with the narration.

I, Zombie is not your typical kill some zombies, run, meet up with other survivors, kill some more zombies, run audiobook. This is a philosophical exploration of free will, humans overall drive for personal uniqueness and all entwined with an excruciating hopelessness, for anyone. The story is told from a large variety of characters, except they are already zombies, with no control over their bodies, much like a passenger on a plane, just along for the ride. Each tells of the internal struggle they find them selves in, trying to will their bodies to do something other than what its doing. If you are looking for a gruesome tale that does not offend, but does leave you feeling that there is no hope, this is perfect for you. Just do not go into this audiobook with any thoughts on how story should be told, because I, Zombie follows now rules. I was very impressed with Howey’s writing style and will be listening to more in the future.

The team of narrators collected together to really wow the listener was superb and in my opinion really added to the dynamic of the story as a whole. Each of the narrators did a great job expressing the hopelessness of their characters situation. Having multiple narrators for I, Zombie really enhanced the story, by giving you, the listener, a audible break from despairing situation to another.

I enjoyed Hugh Howey's Wool trilogy immensely and I thought this one would be a pretty good read but it just didn't do anything for me.

There is no real plot just the point of view of several 'zombies' told as short interludes in what seems a complete mish-mash of ideas. The narration on the whole is very good but the actual stories seem somewhat rushed & unfinished.... Disappointing

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

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